Demands My Soul

A Transgender Heroine's Journey & Romance Novel

From THE ONE Universe

Chapter 22: New Decision Darkness

By Ariel Montine Strickland

How will Delores react when Craig's goons are successful in reversing the decision by the lower court in the appellate from the case brought by Craig?

Copyright 2025 by Ariel Montine Strickland.
All Rights Reserved.

Chapter 6. Lucy Wal-Mart September 12th

Lucy’s feet hurt, it hadn’t been a good day. First Anthony had a really bad day. His dementia was worse, he kept trying to leave and go to work. The more she tried to correct him the more argumentative he became. Then to make matters worse he shit himself.

Chapter 21 – The Iron Ridge

The mountain’s silence didn’t last long. First came a low, mechanical hum rolling across the slope, trembling the icy stones beneath their boots. Kara’s team re-formed at the edge of the ruined pillbox, boots crunching over spent shell casings and scorched metal fragments. The smell of burnt alloy hung in the thin air, sharp and bitter, mingling with the ozone tang from discharged plasma. Flickers of ruined circuitry pulsed in the visor light from each soldier’s HUD, painting the ground with ghostly blue reflections.

Author's Note: There is a plot, it starts to take off in this chapter, but there will still be chapters that focus more on Whit and Lucy's relationship and trauma. Something I haven't made clear that I will need to in future edits is that the story is taking place in a rural town In Illinois called Mud Creek. It's the kind of place that has very powerful gravity. My three main characters, Lucy, Whit, and Grace are all stuck in Mud Creek. Thank you reading and I so appreciate the comments!

Chapter 5 Dead Battery September 11, 2025

In the quiet heart of southwestern Wyoming, a small town clings to its small-town ways. But when a sudden boom brings big money and bigger secrets, what’s left of the town they thought they knew?

As usual, I want to thank Malady for beta reading, and helping edit.
I'd also like to thank those who comment for their part in beta reading too! :-)

Chapter 32

July 5th, 2028

10:00 AM

Subject: You’re not who they cheer for

From: millieB@ghosttrail.net

To: denise.smith@gradecounty.org

Denise,

You looked radiant in the parade. The ponytail, the swimsuit, the cheers. All so perfect.

But let’s be honest. They weren’t cheering for you. They were cheering for the land. The trust. The inheritance. You’re the vessel, not the victory.

They smile because they want something. They praise because they’re afraid to lose access. You think they see you—but they see acreage, not identity.

You’re not their daughter. You’re their deed holder.

Enjoy the spotlight while it lasts.

—Millie

Chapter 4 September 10th 2025

Grace pushed the big shopping cart thing and searched for the specific jar of pickles that had been eluding her for far too long. It wasn’t so much that the job of “personal shopper” at Wal-Mart was hard, it was just very dull. It did have it’s advantages, she could leave her earbud in and listen to music, and she didn’t have to talk to people.

She glanced left and two young guys whose t-shirts confessed their love of hunting and cage fighting were coming her way.

Demands My Soul

A Transgender Heroine's Journey & Romance Novel

From THE ONE Universe

Chapter 20: The Subpoena Storm

By Ariel Montine Strickland

How will Delores and her chosen family react when the subpoena storm hits everyone as Craig appeals their lower court win?

Copyright 2025 by Ariel Montine Strickland.
All Rights Reserved.

In the quiet heart of southwestern Wyoming, a small town clings to its small-town ways. But when a sudden boom brings big money and bigger secrets, what’s left of the town they thought they knew?

As usual, I want to than Malady for beta reading, and helping edit.
I'd also like to thank those who comment for their part in beta reading too! :-)
Chapter 17

For all the trouble he’d gone through, Fran decided to let Trey serve the warrant.

They stepped into the lobby of Spotless Solutions. Bill sat behind the receptionist desk, hunched over a clipboard. He glanced up—and his expression soured instantly.

“You again?” Bill asked, exasperated. “What have we done this time?”

His tone wasn’t curious. It was tired. Defensive. Like he’d been bracing for this moment since the last visit—and had finally run out of patience.

Trey didn’t flinch. He stepped forward, warrant in hand, and held it out. The silence stretched—just long enough to make Bill squirm.

Chapter 2: Lucy Sep 8th

Lucy crouched beside the recliner and unlatched the valve on Anothony’s catheter bag. The plastic hissed softly as the urine emptied into the pitcher she kept for this. She checked the line, wiped the spout, and tugged at the edge of his disposable brief, clean, thank God. No mess today.

Demands My Soul

A Transgender Heroine's Journey & Romance Novel

From THE ONE Universe

Chapter 19: Hope and Hesitation

By Ariel Montine Strickland

How will Delores and her chosen family react when the judge reveals her decision the day after the hearing?

Copyright 2025 by Ariel Montine Strickland.
All Rights Reserved.

As usual, I want to than Malady for beta reading, and helping edit.
I'd also like to thank those who comment for their part in beta reading too! :-)
Chapter 12

The envelope Fran had found in the wastebasket contained a birthday card. It was hard to be certain, but the card might never have been out of the envelope. The handwriting on both the envelope and the note inside looked like a teenager’s—loopy, uneven, and earnest. The return address read Ashley Bernard, Riverside, California.

Fran paused. Mitch Bernard—Reggie and Debra’s nephew over at Spotless Solutions—shared that surname. Could Ashley be his sister? It bore checking out.

She yawned and glanced at her watch. Four A.M.

They’d been called to The Chicken Coop by Chick at eight the previous morning. Twenty hours of nonstop investigating had left her running on fumes. She locked the evidence they’d collected into its locker, then flipped off the lights. The alarm panel blinked its now-familiar flicker when she armed it. She disarmed and rearmed it. This time, it came on normally.

The Girl I Undressed Part 1 of 5

As usual, I want to than Malady for beta reading, and helping edit.
I'd also like to thank those who comment for their part in beta reading

Demands My Soul

A Transgender Heroine's Journey & Romance Novel

From THE ONE Universe

Chapter 17: The Hearing Begins

By Ariel Montine Strickland

What will Beau's testimony do to Craig's case against Delores in the preliminary hearing held?

Copyright 2025 by Ariel Montine Strickland.
All Rights Reserved.

As usual, I want to than Malady for beta reading, and helping edit.
I'd also like to thank those who comment for their part in beta reading too! :-)
Chapter 3

Fran knocked on the door to Millie Brooks’ office. It was getting later in the day, and most of the office staff had left. Another blizzard was expected and after the one the night before, everyone wanted to be home before it got nasty out.

“Come in!” Fran heard from inside.

She opened the door and strode in. She had called earlier, wanting someone on whom she could dump. Millie had taken on a motherly role soon after Fran had moved to town, for which Fran was grateful. Her relationship with Trevor had been up and down for several years, and after the talk that morning, she had found it hard to concentrate on things.

She made a beeline for the couch across from the desk, and flopped down, folding her arms defensively in front of her.

She sat there for a moment while Millie finished off something she’d been working on.